Billy McGinty, the 39-year-old former Great Britain international, is the man charged with restoring the fortunes of Workington Town.

McGinty played 18 times for Town in 1995 when he was coming to the end of a distinguished career with Warrington and Wigan.

"I enjoyed my time at the club, even though I was close to retiring, and made some good friends," McGinty said.

"I just hope I can bring back some of the good times to the club."It won't be easy but if we all work hard together, pulling in the right direction I don't see any reason why we can't improve.

"I have only had two training sessions with the players ahead of the first game but the response has been first class.

"They have all shown he right attitude and if we can carry that forward to the pitch I'll be happy.

"The new coach has a tough one to start with as National Two leaders Keighley Cougars visit Derwent Park today.

"I don't know anything about them," he said.

"I'm more concerned how we perform without worrying too much about them. "I want us to play exciting rugby which the fans will enjoy and we can coax a good few of the stayaways back to the terraces."

And McGinty already has a new face - 22-year-old prop forward Gareth Dean, a former junior Welsh rugby union international.

Dean, who had been playing in France after a brief spell with London Broncos, used to play for McGinty while he coached the Wigan Alliance side.

"He was a big powerful lad who improved through- out the two years he played for me. I'm sure he will do well for us," he said.

Meanwhile, Town's National Division Two game against Gateshead, scheduled for next Sunday, has been rearranged to Saturday night at Jarrow. Whitehaven, who will play Leigh away on June 8 in the semi-final of the Arriva Trains National Cup, have to re-focus on the League today when they host Batley Bulldogs. Coach Steve McCormack does not expect an easy ride, although Batley have won only one league game.

"That is misleading, they are a better side than that as their cup win at Hull KR last week indicates," McCormack said.

"They're strong up-front and also play some good, expansive football so I'm expecting a hard game.

"The Haven coach is able to include Chris McKinney again in the second row after he missed the Dewsbury win last week, suffering from a dead leg. Dean Vaughan starts at prop, with teenager Gary Smith on the bench. Smith was the only west Cumbrian named in the National Leagues U21s side to play their Super League equivalents next month. McCormack will coach the side.